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He released a long sigh. “I never would have forgiven myself if I made a calculated risk on my life that saved the king, and you suffered for it.” He stood and hooked his finger beneath my chin. “Are you well, now?”

My shoulders loosened. “I am. A Master Healer fixed my ankle, and they doused me in potions and such before I left. I’ll be fine by tomorrow.”

“My first thought after the arrow pierced my shoulder was of you.” His emerald eyes sparkled, and he seemed to look deeper inside me, as if he wished to touch my soul with his.

I grew warmer—uncomfortable. Was he going to try to kiss me again?

Warden Roar was charming, attractive, and kind. He had a temper to be certain, but no one was perfect. And shockingly, at least for me, he’d admitted to having feelings for me.

So why did this feel . . . off? Even if I’d wanted him in the same way that he wanted me, I wasn’t sure it would be right. Roar simply kept too much to himself, and while I trusted him in our deal, I didn’t really know him. Not deep down.

And most importantly, why did he keep trying to be closer when I’d set the boundary at being friends?

Physical limits were part of our deal. While I could excuse the first advance, even the second due to circumstances, any more and . . . I wasn’t so sure what he was trying to do.

Roar, seeing that he’d lost me, frowned.

I leaned back, looked away. “Today was trying.”

He straightened and a short silence stretched between us. “Yes.”

A knock at the door spared us another uncomfortable word. I looked at Roar, who shrugged. Seeing as Clemencia had made herself scarce at my bidding, I answered it and found a fae with antlers, deer-like legs, and cloven feet holding out a letter.

“For the Warden of the West and his betrothed.” He bowed shallowly, mindful of his antlers.

“Thank you.” I took the letter and examined the parchment as I shut the door. The paper was fine and thick, more so than the invitation to the tourney had been. When I turned it over, a royal blue seal with a bear stamped in the wax stared back at me. “This is from the royal house.”

“Well, what are you waiting for? Open it.” Roar eyed it with interest.

Somewhat surprised that he didn’t want to do so, I did as he asked and read the contents. “The king wishes to see us as soon as possible. The same messenger will wait at the end of the hall to escort us when we’re ready.”

Roar gestured to my dress. “Are you comfortable presenting in that?”

“I am.”

“Then, we’ll go now.”

I set the letter down, poked my head into Clemencia’s room, and told her we’d be back soon. As instructed, the messenger waited for us at the end of the hall. He bowed again when we approached.

“Right this way, my lord, my lady.” As the messenger walked, his cloven feet struck the diamond patterned floor, so that his steps echoed through the castle.

Roar and I simply remained silent and followed. Again, someone led me through parts of the palace I had not seen. From the outside, Frostveil Castle loomed over Avaldenn, impressive and vast and as sparking white as snow. Inside, it unfolded larger by the day. How much bigger would it be if the royals could access the parts of the palace that used magic to evade them?

After about ten minutes, the messenger turned right and led us to the end of a hallway, where a set of gold double doors imprinted with snowflakes stood. Two armed soldiers framed the doors, though they did not acknowledge us. They were Clawsguards, beholden only to the royal family.

“The king waits for Warden Roar and Lady Neve,” the messenger said to the guards, who didn’t even blink. Just when I thought we’d have to ask someone else to let us in, however, one gripped the doorhandles.

The messenger clasped his hands together. “I will remain here to escort you back.”

“Thank you,” Roar said, as the door opened to reveal a semi-sheer navy curtain.

Confusion set in but dispelled almost right away as sounds of feminine laughter rang out, mixed with lower tones of moaning and gasps. My cheeks warmed. It was well-known that the king had a harem, and it seemed we would be welcomed inside that den of sin.

“I’m with you.” Roar reached out a hand.

“By the stars, why did he bring us here?”

The warden shrugged. “He’s the king.”